MAPUSA
The Goa Legislative Assembly generated much heat on Friday after the government tied itself in knots by providing two sets of figures on jobs generated through the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) and in the process giving a handle for the Opposition to go after them.
First, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed that 2,899 jobs were created from the IPB-related projects while Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho put the figure at 10,832.
Latching on the discrepancies in the figures, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said the two sets of figures indicated that the government was not interested in job creation and the proposed investment through the IPB was just a smokescreen.
“The government has converted 5.74 lakh sq mt of land to bring industries but has failed to provide jobs to the Goans. The promise to create 50,000 jobs through IPB has all but failed,” Sardesai said.
He further said a large tract of land under natural cover (agricultural land) was converted by the IPB to grant permissions to various projects.
However, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho countered him stating that land was needed to set up industries but no agricultural land has been converted.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said that he has received an answer to an unstarred question where it was mentioned that only 55 Goans got jobs.
“The figures speak for themselves. This shows that this government is not concerned about Goans and creating gainful employment,” Alemao said.
Sardesai sought to know whether an evaluation report was prepared by the IPB to ensure that Goans develop enough skills to get employment in the industries.
Earlier, while responding to a postponed question raised by Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, the Industries Minister informed the House that the IPB had approved 259 projects in the last nine years with a proposed investment of Rs 19,491 crore and employment potential of 54,252.
The Quepem MLA said that the unemployment problem was at its peak in Quepem and despite land being available, the government had failed to bring any industries there.
“There is 12 lakh sq mt of land available in Quitol. I am welcoming projects but no one seems to be listening,” he said.
Godinho said the government was seized of the matter and was planning to bring a balanced and large project in Quitol.
